500th Time Reborn, A World Only Known By Women: The Karma System

Back at Grenada's, I found that she had changed into a different nightgown this time, but it was slightly covered by a robe she wore loosely. The new nightgown gave a hint of her curves that I hadn't seen before, and I had to fight the urge to touch her.

"You are back sooner than expected," Grenada said as she motioned for me inside. "I was just about to make some tea. Would you like some?"

I wanted to get to my interrogation, but I should at least explain what happened personally, so I nodded. I was led into her kitchen, rather than the sitting room this time, and I smiled at how small and cute it was. The cupboards were filled with all sorts of strange herbs and spices that I had never seen before.

"This is a great kitchen. Do you cook here often?" I asked as Grenada went about making the tea.

"I used to eat more when my partner was alive... but now it seems like too much," she said softly before smiling at me over her shoulder. "What about you? Do you enjoy cooking?"

I nodded with a small smile, looking around at all the various herbs and ingredients that were on display in this room. Cooking was one of my favorite hobbies--it allowed me to get creative while also working on something practical! It wasn't as good as fighting or fucking, but the food was up there. I guess I was just a Triple F sort of guy, but that didn't sound very good!

"I enjoy eating a bit more than cooking, but it is one of my more favorite things to do," I said with a laugh that made Grenada smile warmly as she brought tea over.

"Here, have some tea and tell me what happened in your adventure tonight," Grenada said as she handed out two mugs of the steaming liquid before taking a seat next to me.

I took the mug gratefully and started telling her about my escapade with Sonya, finding Meeta and Sabrina arguing at the bar and then putting them both in jail, then escorting several women home. As I talked, Grenada's face softened more and more until, by the time I finished talking, it was pure admiration that adorned her features instead of surprise or shock.

"Cat God... you really are something else," She said after a few moments of contemplation. "What are your plans for Meeta? She is not one of my daughters, but she works for me, so this is on me for not realizing it."

"I don't think you are to blame for this. There is almost always someone who tries to stop change, but this is a more drastic approach than most. Still, the condition of Hilda will be part of the weighing and the total cost of the damage that occurred due to the golem attack on Richmer Farms. I think that we can safely say that Meeta no longer works for you, and the same goes for Sabrina at Richmer Farms," I explained, and Grenada nodded.

"I agree; they should be held accountable or at least have some sort of reparations to make. You will figure that out once you have spoken with both girls," Grenada said before drinking more of her tea, and I followed suit.

We sat in silence for a moment before Grenada sighed and smiled at me.

"I don't like to admit this, but I had been hoping I could convince you to stay for the night. Now I can see that it is not likely now, but it was worth a shot." Grenada said with a twinkle in her eye, and I blinked before smirking.

"I'm flattered, that is for sure! But I have to see this through to the end," I replied softly as we both knew exactly what she was referring to; my investigation into who or what is behind Hilda's troubles. "I am not leaving the city yet, so there's still time another day, but Hilda comes first right now."

Grenada nodded and smiled again, though there seemed to be some sadness hidden beneath the surface. We finished off our tea in companionable silence until Grenada finally broke it by stretching out of her chair while yawning loudly; my own body immediately responded with a yawn of its own as I stretched.

"I think it is time for me to retire for the night, and you should get some rest too," Grenada said before grabbing a candle off of the table and heading towards her room. "Intelligence gathering is much easier when one's mind isn't fogged over by exhaustion."

"That should be taken as sage advice, but I have to go deal with the girls. I am also the Cat God, so I don't really need sleep; I just like it!" I chuckled as I gestured for a portal to open to the jail.

"Are you going to execute them for this?" Grenada asked, and I looked back with a smile.

"Not if I can help it. As long as Hilda is alive, there should be no problem. They will both be going to work in my monster girl village down south, and they will have to learn some manners there, or one of the girls will take a pint of blood from them, or take their life away from them if they fail to do so." I said with a smirk before jumping through the portal that closed behind me.

I landed in the center of the jail to find Kalli with a confused look on her face, but when she turned and saw me, a look of realization washed over her.

"I was wondering where these women had come from, but if you are here now, it makes sense," Kalli said, and I grinned up at the giant woman.

"Yes, I have to question these two, but I need a room that is more private and away from here. Can't have the first one scaring the second one to bad with her screams when I am cutting off toes and peeling fingernails," I said in a serious voice but gave Kalli a private wink.

She had looked mortified when I was explaining it, but she calmed down after I winked and then nodded. "Yes, I can find you a room that is a ways away from here!"